[marmab]

Thanks so much for the clarifications re: platelets and the effects of anemia on the heart and body. I will email my doc to ask him why the Dx is MDS and not AA. Many people have asked this question, so I should get on it. In regard to what the doc was looking at in my blood and BMB, he did request, among other things, AIDS, parvovirus, Epstein-Barr; also Ferritin, Folate, B12, TRF, Hapto, and CalTIBC. Additionally, CD2, CD3, CD5 CD7, CD10, CD19, CD20, CD45, HLA-DR, FMC-7, Iron St, IPT, Kappa, Lambda. I know what some of these mean, but not many. I did not see Copper anywhere (would it be abbreviated Cu?).

If you can find the chart about what the safe level of Plts is for various activities, that would be great.

When you mention cyclosporine alone, does that mean without ATG first? And is it true that sometimes ATG is tried alone (no cyclosporine afterwards)? Not sure if I have that right.

I am, as always, grateful to have the benefit of your combined knowledge and interest in sharing it! The downside, of course, is that it comes from your first-hand experiences with these diseases. But I guess that is how life goes -- until we are personally affected by these things, we are often blissfully unaware. Thanks again.

marmab